Oh hey. I just had to brush off this blog with the shop vac to remove the 10 feet of dust. It’s been, what? Ages? Speaking of ages, all the main characters of this blog are older, some have thinning hair, some with gray hair and a couple others with so much hair a professional plumber was recently summoned to the house. I call this my accidental second act to blogging. I am not sure why or what I am even doing, but what I do know is that I’m back. I think. Also do I need the kids to sign a waiver to be characters in this documented nonsense? I mean technically one is an adult and the other is on the cusp of 18, but neither can actually sign their name in cursive so I am guessing I am in the clear. My blog, my rules and as I remind them “I am the MOM. End of discussion.” It’s good to be a gangster…I mean parent. So with that, here we go!

Brian beat me at cribbage tonight. Big surprise there…seriously when will I learn how to count those damn cards. That’s ok I still kick his ass at rummy or whatever the hell that game is called. In other news tonight was another night that required an abundance of patience that I apparently suck at. Nothing says “God grant me serenity…” than helping your 20 year old draft their first big job resume. Poor kid didn’t have a chance with me as his Mom…the perfectionist gene runs deep. As hard as I try to help him understand that failure is not the end or the worst thing, I see so much of me and my daily battle to not let perfectionism be the barrier to taking the first step. I mean, I am basically a walking hypocrite. But hell, at least I can acknowledge my neurosis and knowing is half the battle, right? Or at least that’s what GI Joe said. I have like a gazillion thoughts on my ongoing battle with perfectionism but that might be for another night. I blame Brene Brown for that epiphany…

In other news the dog’s second leg is busted. Hand to god, if she wasn’t so cute I might let her limp forever but she’s our baby. Beyond expensive, but we love her. Truthfully I didn’t see the leg surgeries as a future issue when we foolishly thought getting a puppy was a great idea. I mean she’s a purebred shouldn’t they have extra special powers or at least a 10 year warranty? Lucky for her we are all smitten and apparently like investing in things with negative returns. Who needs retirement anyways?

Well that’s it for today. I’ve got a laundry list of nonsense to spew, a 7 year hiatus will do that. I still can’t believe how long it has been since this blog was active, but damn if I am not here for it again. Thanks for not giving up on me…I promise the best is yet to come!

Until Next Time - Vino Mommy

Welcome Back Kids!! (*cue "Crazy Train")

Time to get this ol' girl up and running...not only because life has been so ridiculously entertaining lately (more like hell on wheels) but because I'm not sure Facebook can handle this much insanity...who am I kidding, I just wanted an excuse to fire up the blog.

I am still in the midst of "Tech Gate 2016" and contemplating throwing the damn iPad away & writing a scathing letter to the school about how this technological resource has increased my wine & anxiety medicine intake, but I am having far too much fun playing "guess what your dream job is" with the Apple Support folks to quit yet. 

In other news...in case you thought our little fur angel had turned a new leaf and is behaving like a well-mannered puppy...well as my good friend Donny say's "YOU'RE WRONG!"

  

This week's death toll (as in the last SEVEN days) includes the following:

• Dog Bed #3 (they were freaking Sertas too! Plastic tray livin' for her now!)
• Stuffed Hedgehog (to be fair it was her toy, but it lasted about 5 mins...nah more like 2)
• Bed Skirt (why I have no idea, I can only imagine there was a delicious dirty sock hidden behind it) 
• Library Book #4 (Gadient's: Official Supplier of Library Books since 2016)
• Spiky Ball from crane machine (actually she did us a favor with that one...seriously kids how MANY do you need???!!)
• Bracelet (jerk...I just bought that!)
• Package of "squares" (Jack's name for pantyliners...still laughing at that one..."Hey Mom - Samantha got into your squares and they are all over your room")
• Insurance card (like the damn thing does any good anyways)
• Box of clarinet reeds

I swear...this dog...her cuteness is her ONLY saving grace...and before you EVEN think about saying "My puppy never did that..." you are either wrong, lying or delusional.

Let's all say a little prayer shall we, that the password god's will bless with me something, anything...AND that Samantha takes a leave of absence from her destructive streak...it's really starting to get expensive & I'm not talking about the stuff she chews...my wine consumption is on a bender.

Until next time,

People Still Look??? Yes they do Virginia!

"Hey, hey, hey...Just think while you been getting down and out about the liars and the dirty dirty cheats of the world, You could have been getting down to this sick beat"...I mean blog! HOLY CATS...2015?

You say it's been since 2013 when I last laid eyes on this precious diatribe that I call my blog? And the best part is people are still looking??? Well without further adieu my fine followers lets get back to business!

Let's recap a little since 2013...family, work, kids, sports, travel, life, position eliminated, eating bon bons, classes, look for job, pine for vacation.

I think that is it! In reality WAY TOO MUCH to even try and sum up and it's in the past so who cares! The good stuff is in the now anyways...so what pray tell am I up to if not causing a ruckus at the airport & tussling with ascot wearing ticket agents? Well currently I am staring out my "office" window drinking coffee, catching up on all things non essential on the interwebs (thanks for coining that phrase Dad, I still love it).

To be completely honest this ol' girl might be nursing a slight headache this morning as the Man and I went to a wine & dessert pairing event last night put on by this fantastic company called Amusee Wine. It was soooo damn good! But GAH the headache... Anyways it was fun & delish and gave me a chance to network a bit (ok drink wine & answer questions like "what do you do?" where I respond "currently a free agent with a penchant for vino, hire me?"). But truly it was great & since the Man is somewhat girly and can't handle the bubbly I drank his (ummm...hello I am an athletic supporter I will always have your back if you can't handle the vino). My Daddy-O was the babysitter extraordinaire last night since my Mom and all of the ladies in my family are in Mexico. Because of my current level of jealousy that I am not there as well, I only hope that they wake up with a "Jose Cuervo you are not a friend of mine" hangover & feel slightly worse than me. :) But I digress...I told said sitter (Daddy-O) that we wouldn't be too late, well....I tried to call several times to let him know that per my usual routine we needed a little bite to eat after all the boozin & desserts. He didn't answer (per his usual routine) so when we finally made it to our house our sitter was snoozing on the couch & I offered a peace offering of the most delicious balsamic glazed strawberry tart. No idea if it worked as he bee lined it out of the house to get back home. Some sitters are so fickle, apparently paying in food isn't what it used to be...oh yeah and being on time is what they prefer. Who knew?

Alright that's it, I am alive & well (I mean if you don't count the headache). And looking forward to spewing more nonsense until I get back to reality. Which BTW I am actually looking forward to...this stay at home Mom gig IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK...people demand clean clothes, food cooked, clean homes, etc...WITH NO COMPENSATION. Sorry hugs don't quite cut it. My utmost admiration to the "Stay At Home Parents" you rock (also can you come do my laundry??? No? Fine.).

Until Next Time,

           

I know, right?!

It's been 1 year, 3 months and 13 days since my last post...and I can't believe they didn't shut this blog down...I know, right?!

So what brings me back? Well I've been thinking that the web has been missing some nonsense of the Vino Mommy kind and my brain is filled with shit to purge so here I am.

So much has changed and I just assume the only people who read this dribble are either family or friends so no need to rehash the last year or so...if you didn't catch it live time your SOL. I do find it somewhat humorous (and frankly sweet?) to see that there are a select few people who actually check on this blog so part of me feels a little ashamed that I have been so lame. Thanks for sticking with me...this whole blog thing sort of ebbs and flows depending on life.

I am currently traveling for work, so for those who don't know me this part of my life hasn't changed. Currently I am trapped in my hotel room in Rockville, MD. Obama didn't extend an invite while I am here but it's probably for the better, I'd likely have to tell him how voting for him ONE time has ruined my credibility with my family for life. It wouldn't be pretty...

This week has been a bit rough as I've spent about 12 hours with my kids since last Wednesday and frankly last night did me in. As I listened to the kids plead with me over the phone to not leave anymore and ask me for the millionth time why I have to work in another state I was literally choking back the tears. I don't think I have ever had to pull the phone away while talking to my children to compose myself but last night was a tipping point. I know that soon enough I will be home and life will resume it's usual chaotic, comforting normalcy...but this week *gah* I am struggling to focus on where and what I should be doing.

It probably doesn't help that I have vacillated between 3 times zones in the last week and my body alone is a hot mess not too mention my mental state. I've said it before I really do like what I do for the most part (hey everyone has bad days), well I would hope so as I just celebrated my 17th Anniversary with the company this week (yes I did start working when I was 10), but there is always a part of me that takes a beating when I travel. Like am I being selfish for wanting a career which in turn takes me away from my family? But then again my family needs to eat, have a place to stay, etc...but do we necessarily need vacations, new cars, and wine? Probably not, but I am certain I can NOT give up the wine perk. Hey, just being honest here. I question my career path and wonder if it is at the expense of my family? You may be thinking this is all very dramatic and we want funny Vino Mommy back, but again it's been a year of pent up thoughts. :)  I know, we could do with less and in turn I could make less, but feel like I am there as much as I possibly can and willing to dwindle my PTO balance to ensure that I can still chaperon field trips and help at class parties and snuggle with sick kiddos so that they know they always come before my work.

The other issue I grapple with when I gone is feeling so out of touch with those I care about the most, again my husband, my kids, my parents, my best friend, etc... Almost like a fight or flight kind of mentality...I want to talk to them, but probably have nothing to say, things are just status quo. I am traveling, they are home doing their routine and that's pretty much it. It's times like these where I wonder what it would be like if we lived far away from everyone, do people work harder at relationships if your not a quick car ride away? At this point I am not willing to test those waters...I'll stay focused on figuring out from closer proximity.

Maybe it was attending my Great Uncle's funeral this week that has me so prophetic about life and how it should be...he was young, 58 actually, he and my Dad were only 3 years apart (don't even get me started on what a mess I would be if I lost my Dad right now, shit just isn't right) as someone described him he was "an over the top biker dude"...but my point is that as tragic as his death was, his funeral was probably one of the most positive, uplifting services I have ever been to. Of course there was no shortage of tears, but I truly believe he left this world with no regrets. I am not saying the man was perfect by any means, but he really chose to live his life positively regardless of circumstance and honestly that is not an easy feat as most of us know. I really want to be that kind of person that embraces life, good or bad and can honestly say "ok, no matter what, I am going to make the most out of this and keep moving forward with a smile on my face". Always easier said than done, but I can not remember a time this man did not show up to any event (good or bad) with a smile and a positive attitude, not to mention a genuine interest in how you were doing. I am determined to find a way to embrace this way of living even if it takes a constant reminder to do so.

*Quick update, my computer crashed (new laptop I might add, make note call IT and ask what kind of crap they sent me) as I was typing this...but no need to worry the world of blogs is so intuitive it saved all of this dribble. I did question if this was a sign that what I wrote so far was not meant for the web, but alas the blog won out. Lucky you!*

Last but not least during the computer malfunction my best girl and I had a little chat and it amazes me how sometimes a phone call can change the way you feel. It's funny how people can miss each other so much that it almost makes them irritated with one another, does that even make sense? I feel like she and work that way, that we have this spectrum where if we go to long without a meaningful conversation via phone or in person we actually get irritable. Good thing we love each other so much that we can recognize our mental imperfections. Love you S! :)

So with that it is good to be back and I PROMISE to write something witty, clever, crass and all out Vino Mommyish next time (you thought I was going to promise to post more often, haven't you people been promised that enough?!!), but appreciate you sticking with me tonight for my therapy session. Oddly enough the blog is a fantastically free form of therapy, suck on that Dr Phil.

Until next time...

           

She works hard for the money...until she misses her plane...

**DISCLOSURE**

If you work for an airline, especially as a ticket agent, don't read...even if you don't and feel like telling me I am wrong, go find another blog. I don't want your opinion, my blog, my story.

**END OF DISCLOSURE**

Yep, it happened...not the first time...nor the last I am sure. Seriously, I work until the absolute last minute when I am traveling and then rush from DC area to the Baltimore airport, gas up & get rid of the mental rental, check in (at the airport mind you) and have said boarding pass in hand...and then...................wait.........................and.....................WAIT.

Yep, I waited until another ticket agent came over to put the luggage tag on my bag and guess what?

"I'm sorry Ms Gadient we can't check your bag as it is beyond the cutoff, we'll need to book you on the next flight." SHIT

Look at watch...I'm sorry...I missed it by maybe 4 minutes you say? Should I remind you I have been standing here for at least 5 or more minutes watching dipshit type on his computer, probably ordering another ascot for his costume, I mean uniform.

"Let's see we can get you on the...7PM flight"

Oh sure no problem, I mean it's 2PM, what's another 5 FREAKING HOURS in the airport.

"You know there is a long line at security so you probably wouldn't make it anyway."

You're probably right, I mean I did just get demoted to Silver status which is about as being privileged as getting to use the 10 item lane at Walmart with *gasp* 13 items. Whatever. Irritated. Moving on.

I get through security in about 2 seconds...a breeze, especially for this ridonc airport...get to my "original" gate and they have just started to board.

Well isn't this just fan-freaking-tastic. So I go up to the gate agent...

"Can I get on this flight, the lady at the baggage counter thought I wouldn't make it but here I am"

"Oh, sorry, no...she already tagged your bag"

Um, how about I could give a shiz about my bag, lose it, I don't care...I just want to go home now, not in 5 LONG ASS HOURS!

"Ok, thank you"

*End Scene*

So here I am at the restaurant...bar (who am I kidding)...working...AGAIN, but at least with some vino in hand. Most of the time traveling doesn't bother me (hell I would even hug a TSA) but today not so much and yes there may be a teeny tiny part that was my fault, but we're not talking about that because it's my blog damn it!

Bottoms Up ~



Ps. How awesome...2 posts in a week? Holla!!!

Pss. Don't mind the time stamp, it's wrong...I have no idea what time zone my blog resides in.

Hey...I'm here...

Wow...holy shiz...it's been over a year since I have blogged. Wait...that sort of sounds like confession but I'm Lutheran. At any rate, I'm here, alive and ready to get the party started.

Welcome to 2012 People!!!

As I logged in I noticed that people actually still log in to see what happens...how CRAZY is that??? Me...Vinomommy...Crazy??! I mean really my main point of this blog is to spew nonsense...so without further adeiu lets roll...

Last week I had a little epiphany if you will about how fortunate I am. Of course my said epiphany was over wine, but lets not be too quick to judge. :)

Now please don't confuse fortunate with perfect, cause lord knows that is more than stretch! But I became a little overwhelmed with how fortunate I am in life. Somehow in my lifespan I have managed the following:

Born to 2 rockstar parents (yes I said rockstar because when your Mom & Dad are 19 when they get married, have a baby and manage to stay together HAPPILY...well you know with a couple of hiccups here and there...for 34 years...well that my friends equals rockstar status)

Met, fell in love & married the love of my life...who can be a snarky pain in the ass, but is hawt, beyond loving, is an exceptional father...and oh yeah still makes me swoon when he walks in the room...no lie...

Had 2 adorable, sweet-as-pie, brilliant boys who are as different as night & day and remind me constantly how lucky I am to be a Mom. They show me everyday what unconditional love really is and remind to have fun as much as possible...

Grew up with almost all my all my Grandparents & several of my Great Grandparents...to this day I still have 2 Great Grandmas (I know WTF...I want their youth serum too!) but more than that I have my one Grandma whose name doesn't even need to be spoken because if you really know me, you know who she is...and well with out her...I can't even imagine...

I have a best friend, like the kind you tell everything...I have no secrets with her, I can tell her exactly how I feel...even if it's about her & how we may not agree. But the best part is she listens, she loves and more than anything she is always there...

I have friends...lots of them (no I am not gloating)...I have friends I met at 12 and you know what? We are still all friends...it's crazy sometimes when we get together and realize how much we have been through and the stages we have watched each other transition through over the last 22 years (WOW!!!). And regardless of the weeks/months/years since it has been since we were together we pick up right where we left off...

Other friends I have met in College & became friends for life after bonding over midterms, 21st birthdays, marriage & babies...they saw a different part of me & stayed (yeah I know...they were desperate)...again regardless of time spent apart we are always there for each other to reminisce, support each other when times get tough & celebrate all the good that comes in between...

Cousins...I have lots...being an only child is different and I was fortunate to have cousins that have been like siblings...or as we say, should have been siblings (you know who you are)...but really how many 33 year olds still hang out with their cousins, stand up for them in their weddings, etc...not only are we friends, but family too...

Last but surely not least is the family I became part of the day I fell for that ridiculously handsome man I call my husband...as I said I am an only child and it is true you do tend to pine for what you don't have (aka siblings...) and when I married Mr Man I not only got a husband but a big ol' family to go with him. I hit the jackpot...I am SO LUCKY to be married into a family that I love to hang out with, party with, commiserate and everything in between...they too make this wild ride of life that much more fun...

So as you can see I could go on forever about how fortunate I am, because really, I am.

I am thankful every day that my parents decided to be a little reckless, fall in love, provide me with a home that was constant, let me make mistakes, sent me off to College, let me go when I met a guy who stole my heart, embraced his family & became friends, & supported us to where we are today. It surely hasn't always been an easy journey, but one I wouldn't have ever wanted to miss, and that my friends is just another reason why I consider myself fortunate...

A little add on to this post...I would also like to give shout out to all my OTHER friends and you know who you are...the coworkers, ex coworkers (who became friends which makes it that much sweeter), Twitter friends (yes people think we are crazy, but we know the truth), the CREEPS (aka LLF friends near & far) and everyone else who I truly do count as a friend. You all contribute to how fortunate I am and I am so lucky to call you friends!!!

Well Hello Everyone...

Happy New Year! Yes, yes, yes…I know. July to January wasn’t such a good run…but what can I say? Life was busy, living the dream and all that good stuff. So here we are another new year, another chance to hopefully make it memorable and not screw up too much along the way. I can honestly say 2010 was a great year and if I could replicate it or make it even slightly better…well then 2011 will be a banner year indeed.

So much to talk about since the last 6 months, but this is a blog and not a novel so let’s just review the Cliffs Notes version shall we?

-Summer…it was all it should have been, warm, sunny, sailing, the lake, boating, beaching, camping, PERFECT! AND…the man & I celebrated our 10th Anniversary…hard to believe that 10 years went by so fast and I am lucky enough to say I am even more in love with the guy now than I was back then and trust me I was head over heels for him then! We got away for a little vacation to Cape Cod just the two of us and had a BLAST…if you’re a parent & reading this I implore you to get away with your spouse at least 1x a year…you need it…no really you do, just ask me. Also I have decided to add to my list of things I will do when I win the lottery, it now includes buying a home on Nantucket (might by a plane for the island too just in case I miss the ferry…).

-Fall…kids start school, major life change with daycare and it was a difficult lead up but they are both doing great…seriously Ross & Jack love school and this makes us incredibly happy! AND…with their change in schedule our work schedules changed and bonus I get home a lot sooner…this too makes for a very happy Mommy! They both played soccer and Ross also played football…was a busy time but they both had a blast, not so sure on the football front but with age & growth I think Ross will enjoy it more. He was very much the little guy on the team (seriously the smallest by FAR) & I can’t blame the kid for not wanting to be pummeled by a kid 2x his size…other than that they both are growing and thriving and seriously getting smarter by the minute…the transformation is incredible, but too fast as always. Oh yes and the boys got bunk beds and they love it…and so does Mom…so now we have a real guest room for anyone who feels like drinking too much wine with me & spending the night…

-Work…was tough, business was slower than we had both would have liked…I took a “sabbatical” from traveling in Sept & Oct due to the changes the kids were going through with school & daycare and frankly just didn’t want to miss out on the happenings of life during that time…it sort of came back to bite me in the ass in that I ended up traveling more than I wanted to in Nov & Dec, but you do what you have to do. I think as a parent it is tough to be away when your kids are really little because it seems like they change everyday & you don’t want to miss any milestones…unfortunately as they get older it has become apparent that it is much harder on the kids, as both boys have struggled with my travel schedule. Luckily Brian is a great Dad and more than attentive during my travel times and of course I am so guilt ridden that I smother them with love & attention when I return…this parenting is NOT for the weak!

-Health…we’ve all been pretty healthy up until the recent crap that went through our house causing Ross to end up in the ER one night for IV fluids…I tell ya that kid does NOT mess around when it comes to getting sick…he really only gets sick maybe 1x a year, but when he does the shit will hit the fan! We’ve also been dealing with some crazy unexplained allergic reactions with Ross…we have finally conceded that it is more than his pediatrician can figure out and off to the allergist we go in 2 weeks! Send us some good juju that we might possibly get some kind of an answer…

What else, what else…last years resolutions actually held pretty true, as my last post alluded to I started to try and get my weight down and become a healthier me…as of today I am down 26 lbs and still working diligently at losing weight…slipped from my yoga routine, but anxious to get back on that train and add some cardio to the mix. I feel like I am more organized than before…not that I am truly organized yet, but at least it is still a work in progress…I am doing better at managing my time despite what my Mother says and again I haven’t achieved perfection, but it feels like it is getting better. As for the “should we have another baby” it is a resounding No (just don’t ask the boys). Our family of four is everything we wanted in life and this is how it will stay...now if only someone would do something about that *cough...Brian...cough*. I’d have to look back and see what else I put down, but like I said 2010 was a great year...so I have plans to make this year even better!

That’s it for today…but tomorrow I have a special post in store for our big boy who is…gah…turning 7!?!??!!

Before I log off...here's my newest favorite family pic of the Vino Familia...

Feels good to be back in the blogosphere...

"...you're a hard habit to break."

Don’t panic…I know you think someone has probably confiscated my blog account, but never fear it really is Vinomommy. So much to talk about as always, but today my post is going to be somewhat of an awakening, somewhat heavy hearted and more than anything a new beginning for me. My suggestion is to grab a glass of water, coffee, diet coke, vino, or beer and settle in for a nice long post…

I use my blog to document life and what transpires in this head of mine…the posts are sporadic at best, but I try…probably why I never succeeded at keeping a diary. When I did have a diary it went something like this….“Dear Diary today is my 11th Birthday” and then the next entry would be “Dear Diary today I graduated from High School” so as you can see consistency was never my strong suit.

At any rate a few weeks ago my Grandma (my savior…seriously) came to clean. Yes I hire my Grandma to clean my house, why? Because she is a fierce cleaner, who leaves no spot untouched and she offered, so there. Anyways I used to have her clean 1x month and then the recession hit and so did everything else in life. So I stopped having her clean about 6 months ago, fast forward to a few weeks ago…our house was in need of a SERIOUS scrub. Mind you we have always kept a “clean” house, sure toys were around, maybe I still had a bag of Easter eggs & candy sitting out, mail piled, laundry to do, dust bunnies on the shelves…but nothing that was worth signing me up for an episode of Hoarders. But something happened…

I am not sure how others feel but I know that when beds are made, laundry is kept up & put away, dishes are done, bathrooms are cleaned, offices are organized and shit is put away…our house, family, marriage all runs smoothly, like a well oiled non stressful machine. Let me emphasize the non stressful part…because it is true. When the house is in chaos so is this family, we (me, Brian, and the boys…truthfully probably just B & me). It puts us both on edge and with two very active boys, combined with two very demanding careers, we don’t need additional chaos!

So what happened? Brian and I arrived home from work on Friday to a clean house courtesy of Grandma and then we found ourselves spending the weekend putting away the laundry she had done, and then moved to the kids rooms and did the same, then we cleaned the basement (i.e. organized), I started organizing the kids toys, games, pantry, office, steam cleaning the carpet and before you know it our house was perfect. Well maybe not totally perfect, but perfect in our eyes. What was left was a very clean, organized home with beds made, laundry put away…a polished beauty, one that we would be proud to call home.

But the BEST part? Almost a month later it still looks that way. When we go to bed, leave for work, whatever…the house is in order. Funny how keeping up with everything is a lot easier than trying to do a complete overhaul…who knew? (Mom, Grandma no comments please!) I think I have actually become a bit neurotic because I seriously can’t leave the house or go to bed with things out or dishes in the sink, etc…ridiculous and wonderful all at the same time.

Which brings me to the reason behind this post…habits. It took giving us a fresh start and committing to keeping our house organized and doing it EVERY SINGLE DAY to become a habit and of course breaking the bad ones.

I have some other bad habits too that need breaking and rewiring…so here goes the second part of this post.

This weekend we are having an all family picture on my Mom’s side, the last one was taken in 1998. So much has changed in 12 years including losing my Grandpa (and trust me when I say this is no easy feat thinking about him not being part of this picture) but there is also a lot of good too…marriages, babies...all totaling a new family picture of 27 people. The coordination of this picture has been a year in the making since a portion of our family lives in AZ. A year…an entire year I knew this picture would be happening and here I am days before the picture thinking to myself “why didn’t you do something sooner.”

Believe me this is not a pity post AT ALL, I am not fishing for affirmations or excuses; I am just being honest with myself. I knew this picture was going to happen and I know that there is a good chance we might not ever have another or at least it won’t be in the next 10 years. So why on earth did I not get my ass in gear sooner with the healthy eating and exercise regime that I have so desperately wanted to start and make it a habit by now? Excuses and lots of them. I really despise myself in pictures right now and if I am to be to totally honest at least the last 6 years…and now I will have a permanent portrait of how much I do not like the way I look at this moment.

No it’s not all about physical beauty it’s also about being healthy and doing something for myself, for my kids and for my husband. I don’t think I am ugly, hideous, or anything of the sort, in fact I feel beautiful more often than not. But I do know that I have avoided for a long time admitting to myself that I am not totally happy with who I have become. So there is really nothing I can do about the looming picture this weekend, well maybe slip the photographer a hundred to Photoshop the hell out me. Instead I am going to use this as a new beginning to break some bad habits and create some new healthier ones.

I start yoga on Monday and am ecstatic to being doing this and I have a few other little things in my back pocket that I am committing to as well. My plan is in a few weeks to come back to this blog and be able to rave about how in addition to a clean organized house I have also become a healthier me.

Chicago was sort of right…hard habits are hard to break, but not impossible.

Until next time…

Travel Diaries...

I guess I sucked at keeping my resolution of staying on top of my blog….but you know what they say…life happens. Well at any rate I am here now…fresh off of my flight from MSP to LGA (that’s Minneapolis to LaGuardia for the laymen out there). The flight was standard…actually a little cramped to be honest. Apparently depending on what straw you draw you may end up on a smaller DC10 than the last DC10 you flew on, even when flying on the same airline. Ridiculous I tell you…planes are like women’s jeans just when you think you find the perfect pair, you return to the store to buy a second pair of the exact same jeans, but are crushed to find they are indeed NOT the same jeans that you originally purchased. Make sense or completely lost?

This nonsense is all leading up to a long post of random thoughts but mostly about me evolving into a certified travel snob. First off I must say I rarely ever talk to the person I sit next to, not because I don’t like them or I am antisocial quite the opposite in fact, unfortunately I borderline on being diagnosed with narcolepsy and use my flights to feed my need to sleep whenever possible, which for those of you who have children know that naps are a rarity at best. Truly, I love naps like most people love a good scotch…so good, yet over too quickly, and you always want more…wait that sounds like (KIDDING HONEY!!!)…I digress….so this time I actually engaged in a conversation with my flight neighbor and no joke we talked the entire flight…crazy I know.

Let me introduce you to my flight friend, his name is Louis, he was wearing skinny jeans that were rolled, a button down shirt, cardigan with a fabric flower pin and navy blue canvas boat shoes…I know, quite the impression that I remembered all of this. He also had very nice hair, not like drop dead gorgeous hair, but I could tell he fell into the product whore category such as myself (later we both agree it is worth checking luggage to travel with full size hair products). You are all saying to yourself “surely he is straight with a penchant for style” but on the contrary…my new friend Louis is certifiably not straight and confirmed this later in our conversation, because as he stated “I have four brothers and my Mom swears she always knew I was special”…special indeed Louis, I am certain none of your brothers could pull off wearing skinny jeans with a floral pin with as much panache as you if they tried.

At any rate, we struck up a conversation over the fact that the OLDEST living FLIGHT ATTENDANT that ever existed (I SERIOUSLY kid you not) was working our flight…I wish I remembered her name (lets call her “Matilda”) because she might just be the 1st flight attendant ever hired by Delta…and god bless the woman, but she couldn't hear or see (she actually told us this)…of course the 3rd Musketeer in our row was concerned that “Matilda” might not make it if we were to find ourselves in a serious situation (crashing, etc…) but what was the first thing my friend Louis and I were thinking? Better order 2 drinks cause she’ll never make it back by the time my first is empty, hell she might not make it at all. So Louis ordered 2 Vodkas & a club soda, while I of course ordered…you guessed it, 2 Cabernets. We chatted about him being born & raised in Minneapolis and now living in NY going to Grad school for Fashion Design and working at Caroline Herrera’s fashion house. Just so you know when he graduates this Spring he is hoping to land a job with Ralph Lauren or J Crew…we of course discussed other things like where I work and how he remembered my High School because he heard about it burning down when he was in Junior High. Other topics included our love for trashy gossip magazines (which we later swapped) and how we were both surprised that Jenny McCarthy & Jim Carrey broke up…but neither of us were saddened…we also talked about our devotion to the best TV show ever, Lost (ok maybe not ever but at least right now) and the up & coming favorite, Modern Family. I swear had my cousin Bobby, er Rob or whatever the hell he wants me to call him hadn’t found the love of his life (no worries Jeremy we love you!) I sooooo would be setting Louis & Bobby up on a blind date, but alas it was not meant to be. At any rate Louis and I had a great time chatting it up about all things that most men in my life would have no desire discussing…ever.

Yes, it was all that and much more and it reminded me that maybe sleeping my life away on flights isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, I mean how many Louis’s have I missed by snoring my way through 30,000 feet? I guess I will never know.

Does the mean that I will no longer hit snooze while flying the friendly skies? Hell no. But maybe, just maybe I’ll at least attempt to make eye contact before dozing off. So I think I have probably dragged this post on long enough and you’ll have to wait with baited breath to hear my rant about how I’ve turned into a travel snob until later.

Until next time…

LMAO...

...yeah so let's start this post out on a "funny"...I was playing around with the "dashboard" on my blog and came across the "next blog" button, so naturally I do what most curious people do and click on it...this is where shit starts to get funny...the next blog was...wait for it.........."Gay Dad's in Munchkin Land"...if you are not laughing you should be...and no gay hate emails either, cause ya'll know I love everyone, gay, straight, diagonal & everything in between....but that, that made me laugh OUT LOUD.

So what else, what else...sitting at the Grill/Bar in my hotel in Indy, yes I am traveling again, yes it sucks, but that's old news right? Enjoying some Vino, waiting for dinner and then prepping to watch the season premier of Lost...gawd I love that show, tis my guilty pleasure and I love it as much as I loathe it. Also I should note that holy hell it is hot in this restaurant...must be trying to help you sweat away the calories...but I digress.

I do have a few things on my mind, first my baby, my sweet, sweet BIG BOY is 6. I am the Mother of a six year old...WOW. The fact that I am a Mom is not surprising the fact that my first born is 6 just slays me...people who do not have kids take note, you will never know how fast time flies until you have children and never underestimate this statement, ENJOY EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.

Second, I went shopping for a suit last night and saw my ass in the mirror...well lets just say "objects in mirror really are that large" talk about a buzz kill. So if you are wondering how my "workout" resolution is going...no need to ask. Most of the others are making progress, but that is for another post. Needless to say if I don't get on the treadmill soon, I may be required to hang an orange or red flag off my ass in the near future for the safety of others.

Lastly, I have encountered two instances in the last month or so that has brought to my attention that my "strong personality" might just be a little daunting or threatening to others. When I say others, I mean people who I thought knew me, or at least I thought they knew me. At first I was quite upset and put off. I mean really, none of us are perfect. I am actually quite proud that I surround myself by some of the most perfect "imperfect" individuals, but this notion of being somewhat threatening, well that just down right hurt. But then I got to thinking and of course talking with the Mr (who again, not perfect despite what his Mother & my Grandma might think) and this is me, all of me, for good or bad this is who I am. I like to laugh and make people laugh. I like to joke about serious situations to ease the tension, I like to joke about the funny things in life, because well, they are funny. But I am also a very caring and considerate person, who loves my family & friends more than they will ever know.

So yes, I may joke...a lot...and sometimes I miss the mark, but in the end those that really know me, know who the REAL Vinomommy is and what makes her tick, well those are the people that matter most and those are the people that keep me in check and remind me that they love all of me, good, bad and everything in between (even the ass with the red flag...I know, inappropriate).
Until next time...

Hello from Mormon Country...

...I am currently sitting in my hotel room watching TV and kicking back from a busy day of training. I was given the opportunity to attend a sales training course being hosted by one of the sister company's that the company I work for owns. It has been great, not that I am getting back into sales...honestly I never left...don't kid yourself in thinking that once you become a manager that you no longer are "bothered" by the daily tasks of conducting business...cause guess what you still are...I digress...

Anyways it has been a great refresher and given me new ways of looking at my current ways of handling business. It has also given me an opportunity to check out yet another city & state I have never been to...Utah and more specifically Salt Lake City...this place is definitely different...a lot of Mormons, who would have thought? I have checked out the Temple, the Tabernacle, ate at a lot of great restaurants and plan on heading to Park City tomorrow night.

Usually I am not this social after hours on work trips but I am traveling with one of my staff and there are also others attending training from out of town. It's nice to have people to talk to versus working and heading back to hunker down in my room for the night...because really that gets old, boring and at times lonely. Speaking of lonely I miss my guys terribly...I constantly worry about how my travel affects them and in my own selfishness wonder if they miss me as much as I miss them...

So that's all for tonight just a little tid bit of what I am up to and hopefully I can muster the energy to write a little more of about what has been happening at Casa del Gadient...

Till next time, I will be counting the days, hours, & minutes until I see my guys...

Yes Virginia, Jen still has a blog....

...so here we are again, except this time I can't even believe how long I have left this little blog of mine vacant (despite the numerous messages, complaints, etc...from all of you as "reminders")...poor thing, she has been sorely neglected.

BUT...new year = fresh slate = chance to redeem myself in the blogosphere! I am actually giddy at the thought of a fresh start...because you know a lot has happened since I last posted and although much of it has been captured on my other technology vice a.k.a Twitter it's just not as good as the real thing.

Currently I am sitting in front of the fire (a REAL fire btw) at my Grandma's house with a glass of vino as my side kick. I have spent the last 4 days here and the level of rejuvenation I am feeling is astounding. My time has been spent loving on my kiddos, laughing out loud, sleeping, drinking, playing cards & driving those that I love crazy with my outrageous singing and at the end of the day it is exactly what I needed to realign my life post 2009.

So how was 2009 you may ask? Good. There were struggles with work (honestly that is an understatement for both the Mr & I), challenges of the unknown, and the loss of a loved one but there was so much more that was good, real good...having a family I love & adore, we were & still are healthy, we have two handsome & wonderful boys, we have jobs, we have a home, we have debt...I was doing so well until that last statement...but in all honesty I REALLY can't complain, life simply has been as it should, good/bad and everything in between.

So where are we headed in 2010? Well I hope for more of the same (at least the good stuff), but as many of you have done, I too have compiled a list of resolutions that I am going to strive to accomplish in the New Year...cliche I know, but that is how I roll. So here it goes, in no particular order, Vino Mommy's resolutions for 2010:

1. Exercise - Yes, I am using a blanket statement as I currently have no exercise plan, but trust me, I could stand to lose a few lbs (ok alot, but baby steps)...the hope is that by exercising I will have an outlet for my stress & oh yeah lose some pounds in the process.

2. Blog on a Regular Basis - Yes, hard to believe it would make the list, but I am determined to blog more than 1x every 3 months! Plus secretly I know you all want me to...

3. Reduce Our Debt - We make good money, nothing outrageous but good and what do we have to show for this DEBT...I hate it, loathe it, but can no longer hide it. I am determined to make a concerted effort to spend less...even if it means drinking less Vino...that might be a little harsh, how about "cheaper" Vino to accomplish our goals.

4. Expansion of Our Family - WE...yes the Mr & I need to make a decision of whether or not expand our family with another Bambino. Sounds so simple, but alas it is not. There are many pros & cons and frankly we just need to figure it out...the boys are getting older and so are we...I just wish I knew what the answer was...I have a feeling what the end result will be but you never know...

5. Work/Life Balance - I am continuously on the search for balance with my life & career...my life from 8 - 5 (I laughed as typed that) is more than just a job, it's my career. I have been carefully paving a path to where I am at today. Sometimes it was being in the right place at the right time and much of it is due to hard work & sacrifice. At the end of day I am always looking for balance, it may not always be equal, but balanced none the less so that I can continue on my journey while not losing sight of what means most to me.

7. Clean the Clutter - Specifically I want to get rid of the shit that plagues our basement & my craft room (many of you probably never knew we had either...). Now hear me out when I say we are a far cry from being the next "victim" on Hoarders...but I really want to transform those rooms into usable space vs a catch all for crap.

8. Focus - I am not referring to some adult onset ADD...I just want to be able to practice what I preached for so long, which is essentially be present with whom ever you are with or whatever you are doing. I seem to become increasingly distracted by the ever expanding technologies...texting, tweeting, blogging, etc...all of which has made me a little less present for those that I love and the things that I do.

So there you go, I am sure many of you would prefer a more rounded out list say to 10, but my blog, my list, my way...plus 8 seems like a number I can stick with. I plan on keeping you all posted on my progress and what my plans are to ensure that I accomplish these goals. As a wise person once said "hope is not a plan" so I guess I can't go with that route...

To all of you, thanks for sticking with me during the "dry spell" of 2009 and here's to an incredible 2010!

Where to Begin?

Wow...I have really been quite the slacker lately...funny how not a day goes by that I don't think about posting something...anything really. So...I am going to start "small" and attempt to build from here...cause even though it seems like I have given up on the world of blogging...I haven't. It's more like the pendulum of time has thrown me completely off and I am fighting like hell to get back up.

I used to think my life, our life, was crazy busy...I couldn't have been more wrong, life as we know it now is UNFREAKINBELIVIBLY CRAZY.

Don't get me wrong our life is good, real good as I have said before, but the balance...that thing that I strive to find EVERY SINGLE DAY is a little off...nope make that completely off it's axis.

The boys both started school this year, Ross venturing off into Kindergarten & Jack starting his first year of Preschool. The good news here is that they LOVE it, seriously love themselves some school. Which is comforting and of course a little sad knowing that they truly are growing up and doing things without Mom & Dad's help and I of course have been playing over and over in my head "how did the last 5 1/2 years fly by so quickly?" Take a peek for yourself...

The Big Boy...
The Little Boy

My Boys...
So school has been a great thing, Ross loves his teacher and she is great despite the fact that I think she was born when I graduated from HS...ok, not really but either she is aging amazingly or...I am getting...gasp...older? Jack of course fell in love with his teacher from the get go because he actually has Ross's first Preschool teacher...Ms Mary. Let it be known that I warned Ms Mary that Jack is not Ross...not just the "he's the little brother...blah...blah" more the "he is much more 'spirited' than Ross"...which really equates to...he's a wild man, what is your liquor preference? However despite our fears that Jack would terrorize Ms Mary and wish she had retired sooner, he has done fabulous and is well behaved and BONUS has not peed his pants in school. We had little doubt that Ross would adjust to Kindergarten superbly, but of course being the shy, perfectionist, old soul that he is it can take awhile for him to get "comfortable" in new surroundings. But again, he has done wonderful and lovin' every minute...well with the exception of us asking him everyday "what did you do at school" which is usually answered with "I don't remember...I played." Huh...interesting.

So let's see we've got school, then we started swimming and soccer. Phew! Throw in the Mr having back issues which ultimately landed him with a diagnosis of a herniated disc...well that's when things really started cooking around here (although softball was no longer a scheduling issue as bad back=no softball for the rest of the year...woo hoo).

Then shortly after the start of our marathon fall my work got busy...nope busy doesn't do it justice...INSANE...the kind of insane non stop work that ultimately wore me down and had my heart beating so fast that my chest started to tighten, breathing became difficult, and a momentary nervous breakdown ensued. Which oddly enough I take meds to curb anxiety (I know, surprise!) , so you know it's bad when even the "happy pills" can't fend these feelings off.

The "busyness" is great for business, we are now half way back to where we were a year ago, which probably sounds meager at that, but trust me when I say we have made leaps and bounds. But with this has come ridiculous work hours, day, night, weekend it doesn't matter. I am at the mercy of "The Client" and I hate that. They essentially own my ass and I have no choice but to grin and bear it till it's all over. I am however doing my best to avoid the "flight mode" and am now preparing myself to "fight" knowing that if I focus on just getting the job done, that one day (god willing by December) it will be over...or at least slower.

I have cancelled both work trips and personal trips because of the work load (2 vacations to be exact). Thank god the Mr is incredibly understanding (yes I know, as a person he is much better than I...nothing new there) and is more than accommodating with my job. Good news for him is that mid-October we will be in NYC together, kid free, just he and I...and well the rest is for us to know and you to not. :)

The positive side is I have only had a couple overnight trips one being tomorrow (and no I am not packed or ready to go whatsoever and it's 11PM...) which has kept me home more, but with the amount of hours I am working I might has well be in another state. The one thing I can say is that I am perfecting the "quality" of time with my family versus the "quantity" and am consistently trying to balance that damn pendulum one day at a time (Grandma if you are reading this...if you lived with us life would be much more even keel...I'm just sayin).

So again as I have signed off before, I will attempt to keep this little life journal of mine up to date and a little more light hearted, cause I am not much of a fan of drama mama as I am of Vino mama...until next time.

You thought I left didn't you?

I know you're all probably falling over that I am finally posting something...or maybe you aren't even there because you gave up on me about a month ago...(please be the first). Well I am here and life is still strolling along at a rapid pace. Actually life is good, really good...we are all happy, healthy, and always trying to find a balance between supremely chaotic and Zen...I'll keep you posted on how that works out, but give me about 30 more years.

So I have so much to post and pictures, OMG the pictures from this summer...I figure I haven't really posted many since Memorial Weekend? Well unfortunately they are not going up tonight, I am too tired and using my teeny tiny bit of energy to sneak a post in. BTW - you may look at the post time and think "Vino Mommy, it's early...why are you tired?" and my answer to that is the time that shows up when I post my blog, does not actually coincide with the real time (i.e. CST). So anyways I digress...

It has been a busy, productive...scratch that...just busy summer. There has been softball, t-ball, tennis camp, weekends at the lake, sailing, a "Gadient Wedding" which is a feat in itself, shower, bacherlorette/bachelor party, Beyonce, picnic at the farm, work....(OMG - especially for Beer Daddy)...successful potty training, birthdays, no more training wheels, family visits and so much more...it's quite ridiculous and wonderful all at the same time.

So as I was running around tonight with Beer Daddy shuffling the kids to and from tennis camp and then home to eat dinner, which turned into a pit stop of cleaning the garage (I know freakin ridiculous how the man gets side tracked), to watering the plants, make dinner, do laundry, clean out the Mini from our weekend away, put crap away, bathe kiddos, brush teeth, blah, blah, blah...I thought of something..."In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." - Benjamin Franklin.

Weird, I know...frankly I am not sure why it crossed my mind, but here's the thing Benny...I have a few more things I am completely and utterly certain of...

1. I will never be caught up with our laundry...ever.

2. Exhaustion is a part of Parenting that they down play...I will always be tired, even after a nap.

3. Chocolate & Vino are my vices...but in moderation they should not kill me...I hope.

4. Beer Daddy and I are late...pretty much always, timeliness is our kryptonite.

5. I never want my kids to grow up too fast, even at their worst...I really do cherish it all.

6. There is nothing sweeter than slowing down and experiencing life though the eyes of your child.

7. Family can be Friends and Friends can be Family.

8. Sometimes the truth really can hurt, no matter how hard you try to not let it.

9. I really did marry my Soul Mate.

10. I will always be forever wanting more time to write on my blog.

So there you go 10 Vino Mommy Truth's, they may not be yours, but they are most definitely mine. I may revisit this list as there is so much more that I am sure of but thought best to end this "renewal post" and keep you wanting more.

Until next time...

Really? 3 Weeks???

...GASP! I can't believe that I haven't posted in 3 weeks...I sort of hate myself for being such a lackey...but it has been a crazy, busy, insane time in the Gadient house. I have so many pictures to share (no really, TONS...) but tonight I am off to Beyonce with my best partner in crime...Stacy and oh yeah even though we aren't single, we are still putting our hands up! :)

BTW...after my stern lecture I had with myself I will be updating this blog o' mine this weekend or else...

My dogs are barking...

...I am so tired and my feet, OMG...are killing me! I have been traveling to NY once a month since December and you would think I would have found a pair of shoes that could with withstand the incredible amount of walking...but alas I am stumped.

On my last trip I had a record 5-6 blisters on each foot and no I was not wearing "hooker shoes" (use your imagination or ask Hola Carlos aka Catherine). So I was really excited when on my last trip to Indy I was certain I had found THE pair that could handle the rigorous amount of walking required when working in NY....or not. Such a bummer, because I swear they felt like pillows, comfortable as all get out and by they way, oh so cute!

Frankly I am becoming desperate because the dogs, they are barking and they are loud. I know my Dad is reading this and thinking why doesn't she wear her sneakers, because in my Dad's eyes you can wear them with anything. But I am pretty sure that sneakers with my suit/work clothes to meet with clients just might catapult me back into the 80's.

So if any of you have suggestions, I am all ears...or um eyes.

BTW...missing my guys oh so much tonight and can't wait to see them tomorrow...there will be some serious snuggle time in the Gadient house.

Don't hate me...hate the Internet...

I know I said no more 2 week spans between posts, but apparently my Internet did not get the memo. The good news is that we are back online and well better than ever...or well at least back.

So I am back in NYC for a quick trip and tonight I was too tired to do anything exciting. I am so lame that I went to the restaurant across the street and then back. Frankly waking up at 4AM after a long fun filled weekend to make a 7AM flight can drain you. According to Stacy I am to call her when I find my personality...apparently I wasn't the most talkative friend today...frankly I don't blame her, when I am this tired talking becomes a chore.

But alas I did promise you a story about Ross and his curious question "how do babies get in people's bellies?" So here it goes...Brian (aka Beer Daddy) and I took the boys for a walk on a beautiful Sunday morning and as we were walking the following ensued:

Ross: Mom, how do babies get in peoples bellies?

Me: (Thinking oh my god, oh my god, I am not ready to answer this question, he is only 5, why is he asking this, what do I say...I mean some people love each other, but some people don't...sometimes there are 2 Mommies or 2 Daddies...crap where do I begin?!?!?!?!)

Ross: Mom?

Me: (Looking at Beer Daddy for some help) Well Ross it's a long story that I will tell you later.

Beer Daddy: (Giving me the look of "way to bail on that answer") Ross, not everyone can have a baby just Mommies and when 2 people love each other they get together and have a baby.

Ross: Ok

Me: (Are you kidding me, they "get together" and have a baby? What kind of answer is that...why didn't I think of it...)

Beer Daddy: (Smirking)

After about 5 minutes...

Ross: Hey Mom, you said your story was long, is it different?

Me: Nope, I think Daddy said it all.

So there you go, our first "difficult" discussion regarding the birds and the bees. I know pathetic, but hell it worked and what did we learn...sometimes the simplest answer is the best.

And one more story, because is there anything better than what comes out of the mouths of babes? At dinner last week...

Ross: Mom, what is on your face?

Me: What?

Ross: That thing, it looks like a volcano or something.

Me: (Oh you mean that blemish on my face...why did I have kids?)

Beer Daddy: Ross that is not nice to say...you should apologize.

Ross: Well it does...

Gotta love them, they have no sensor that's for sure...I can't wait for his first pimple, I mean volcano.

Time Bandit...

...I have no real reason for not blogging as of late, however if I could pin the blame on something I would say my life has something to do with it. Just busy, you know that oxymoron being a "Working Mom" it's just that, life, well it never ceases to keep me moving at the max. I have had my share of relaxing moments, my birthday Spa Day for instance (Heaven!), last weekend at the lake, etc...it just seems like when you have those times the last thing I am thinking about doing is opening the laptop.

Of course I could blog after I get done with work, pick up the kids, stop at the grocery store, make dinner, play with the kids, give the kids a bath, read them a story, put them to bed, clean up dinner, start laundry, fold laundry...I sit on the couch with BeerDaddy, who has also competed in this marathon day and we chat about life's greatest mysteries, like are we out of milk, who is dropping off the kids tomorrow, when are we going to put this laundry away and then....it is 10:30/11 ish and we are exhausted, so we head to bed and race to see who can fall asleep first (I am the winner 99.9% of the time).

We are surely not alone in this "Rat Race" called parenting...but it can put a brake on the ol' blogging, which I really do find therapeutic. So now that I have gotten that diatribe out of the way, I can catch you up the life that is mine.

My birthday was fantastic, although I had a very slight, itty bitty midlife crisis turning 31, mainly because I found more gray hair, my face looked like I was aging and more importantly I was so excited to turn 30 and FINALLY be done with my 20's that I kind of forgot that the years keep coming. BUT...I did get over it and my guys had breakfast with me, I had an absolutely lovely day at the spa with my Mom, Grandma and Stacy...and capped the night off with a delicious dinner at our house with family and friends. Really it doesn't get any better (the cut, color & facial helped with the aging part too).

Ross is done with preschool and to say that I am going to be a puddle when he starts Kindergarten or graduates from High School is an understatement. I had to leave his last day of preschool ice cream social about 10 minutes early and found a few tears strolling down my cheek while walking to my car just thinking about my first baby moving on to the next stage of growing up...too fast I tell you, too fast. Quick cute story about his last day...I went to thank his teacher for all she had done this year and she said that "Ross had really opened up this year and...well the girls are quite smitten by him. And well Ross, he seems to be quite the keen on them as well." Oi vey...my little blond Casanova. Here are a couple pics of Ross with his teachers...

I have so much more to tell, but I need to sign off as last night the guy in the hotel room next to me (yes, I am on the road again, back in the Big Apple and more adventures to tell) vomited his brains out, literally. All night long and the intensity of the sound was unreal, I honestly have no idea how he could even possibly have enough in him to last that long, so I have decided he must have lost his spleen and a couple other organs throughout the night. Just in case you were wondering I am staying at the beautiful Grand Hyatt, however the walls are so thin, I think it is a requirement in NY that any sound must be magnified while in your hotel room. My guess is the only thing between the walls is a piece of vellum paper. So my plans to get some much overdue work done were shattered. I did however decide that I could not stomach listening to this again tonight as 2 pillows over my head with the tv on could not drown him out. So I went to the front desk asked if they could check to see if the person in the room next to me had checked out, explained why, the apologized profusely and asked if they could send up a bottle of wine for my troubles...of course not wanting them to feel bad I agreed...I know big of me.

More to come and no I will not wait 2 weeks or more...good stories are on the way and just as a teaser I'll just say that Ross posed this question to BeerDaddy and I on a recent walk "how do babies get in people's bellies?" YIKES!

Mother's Day 2009...

Biting the Big Apple...

...again I find myself sitting down to try and update my blog for the billionth time in the last couple weeks, however this time there will be success!

I am currently coming to you from the "Lake" aka Grandma's house on Lake Mille Lacs for the Fishing Opener and more importantly our annual Mother's Day Weekend. I look forward to this weekend for many reasons, typically it is the "kickoff" to the many weekend trips we will make here this summer (although we frequent the lake all year long), it is the FIRST of my Birthday Celebrations (I adore my birthday beyond words, why I don't know, I think it is something my Dad instilled in me and we both make sure our celebrations last a good month), and bonus now that I have Children I get to celebrate Mom's Day with my Grandma, Mom, Aunts, and now Cousin's Wives. The weekend pretty much sucks for the guys on many levels, not only do they get to submerge themselves in the freezing cold water to put the dock and lift in, BUT they also get to cook & clean all day Sunday for the Women. Lucky men, they should be so fortunate that they married us! :) So I spent the day playing outside with the boys and taking them for a spin on the four wheeler, now we are hunkered down inside while I enjoy a fine glass of Vino and the Men they are hovered around the fire trying to warm up....

The last couple weeks have been a little crazy, but life seems to be slowing or maybe it's that my travel scheduled has slowed. I was in NY last week for work and then a Friend/Coworker, Susie, met me out there for a little girls getaway. We had a BLAST! Needless to say we tore up NY in a few short days. The first night we had the best intentions to head over to Rockefeller Center for dinner, but ended up "stopping" for a drink at the hotel bar...yeah well that quick stop lasted a little longer because they carry one of my favorite Pinot Noir's (La Crema) and I can't have just 1 (again, that is why I am Vino Mommy)...at some point we managed to pull ourselves away and walked a couple blocks down to a place called McFadden's Tavern. Great burgers, but the music was way too loud for our old ears so we had to leave as we could only comprehend every 4th word we spoke (and no it was not because of the wine I had consumed). We spent the rest of the trip hitting up Chinatown for some "discounted" designer purses, Little Italy for lunch, Central Park with a pit stop at Tavern on the Green, Times Square, lunch in Tribeca and FINALLY mastering the Subway! There are so many stories but I will only make you suffer through 2 (Lance and Beerdaddy quit rolling your eyes)...

...first one happened while shopping in Chinatown, we were accosted about every 5 feet with someone asking us "you want Gucci, Coach, Prada...come with me" (you have to say it really fast and in your best Chinese accent) and then all of the sudden this man who appeared to be homeless or maybe he just had poor hygiene yelled into the crowd "THIS IS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME AT IT'S WORST, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED". Ashamed, me? No. Giddy at the great deals and happy that I can help this Entrepreneur realize his/her dreams. Yes.

The second and the one that still has me laughing, is when Susie and I were walking out of Central Park and an older Asian man had photos displayed of famous NY landmarks and Central Park...we stop to look and he turns to Susie and the following conversation transpires...

Man: Foto (again use your best Chinese/English accent)

Susie: (Nods that it indeed is a photo)

Man: Foto, Foto, Foto, Foto

Susie: Yes (again, smiling that and acknowledging that they are photos and there are 4 of them )

Man: Fo Seasons, April, May, Fall, Christmas

Priceless I tell you, priceless. I will try and post some pictures from the trip in the next couple days, but until then I hope all of you readers that are Mother's have a wonderful day tomorrow...I know I will!